
Qass. 
Book. 



yV 7 2 ■ 



'^A TIME TO WEEP.- 



A^ SE:RM:0]Nr 



ON THE DEATH OF 



Q ^ I'c 
DELIVERED APRIL vDtji., 18r,5. 

IX THE 

PRESBYTERIAN C H U R C H , 



BY THE I'ASTOK 



REY. ROBERT H. WILLIAMS. 



FREDERICK, MD., 
SCHLEY, KEEFER & CO. 

I8r>5. 



"A TIME TO WEEP." 

A. ©ERivioisr 

ON THB DEATH OP 

DELIVERED APRIL 29th,, 1865/ 

IN THE! 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 

AY THE PASTOS, 

REV. ROBERT H. WILLIAMS- 



— •'''i^> 



FREDERICK, MD., 
SCHLEY, KEEEER & C0» 

1865, 






[PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.] 



''A Time to fVeep."—Eccl 3, 4, 
Only a few days have passed since the itott tongue of 
thousands of bells rang out the glad sound of victory, £tnd 
gladdened us with the prospect of an early termination of 
the strife which for years has been raging. Quickly, loudly, 
did these bells respond to the feelings of our joyous hearts. 
Now with slow, measured strokes, they speak in response tO 
changed emotions. But yesterday innumerable loud-mouth- 
ed, iron-throated cannon poured forth exultant sounds, which 
went rolling over city and town, hill and valley. Bands ad-' 
ded to the general rejoicing by discoursing the National airs. 
The dear old flag, which had been torn down by traitoirS 
hands and shot away by hostile bullets, had been lifted ta 
the breeze, never, we hope, to be removed. Smiles adorned 
the faces of our people, and words of hope and encourage- 
ment were exchanged. ! how happy we felt in the pros^ 
pect of peace, an honorable peace. Day after day, did we 
hear, with pleasure, the good news of the capture of large 
towns, and the surrender of large bodies of men. "The 
war is over." "The rebellion is at an end," were the expres- 
sions on the lips of thousands.- Our Sun shone brightly. 
Our political sky was almost free from clouds. But to-day, 
the nation is clothed in sackcloth, and sorrow is in our 
hearts. We all feel that it is a time to weep. A thick, 
black cloud has gathered in our sky. Our faces bear the 
marks of sadness. Expressions of joy have ceased. "The 
elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their 
music. The joy of our heart is ceased, our dance is turned 
into mourning." Our hearts are faint through sorrow. Our 
eyes are dim by reason of weeping. "Why this change? 
Has the cause of our joy ceased? No. Peace seems as near 
as it did a week ago. Were we deceived by false news? No. 
All the victories we rejoiced over were real. Indeed, other 



•uocesfles have been added to those we have celebrated. We 
weep, not because we have lost the victories gained. It is 
not the absence of good tidings^ which makes this a day of 
weeping. Sad news, blended with announcements of a pleas- 
ing character, makes us weep to-day. The whole nation has 
heard that our beloved President, Abraham Lincoln has pass- 
ed away. It is his death, which has brought us to the house 
of God in the middle of the week. On account of his death, 
a tolling, instead of a joyous, quickly-sounding bell, sum- 
mons us together. Our grief is all the deeper because of 
the suddenness with which he was cut down. It had not 
been announced to the nation that he was sick; or else, the 
tidings of his death would not have shocked us as they have 
done. The first news was told in the harsh ungrate- 
ful, sorrow-producing words, "He is dying." Then soon 
over the wires flew the message, ''He is dead." Dead! 
Yes dead ! He did not die by disease; nor yet, by accident. 
He died by the hand of the assassin. How can we speak of 
the foul deed? We do not desire to indulge in extravagant 
remarks for this is not the time for them. Yet our feelings 
will hardly allow us to speak with moderation. Can we 
look upon the corse, the mangled corse of our honored chief, 
and not cry for vengeance upon the perpetrators of the bloody 
deed .^ Have we another chief to take the place of him who 
has fallen ? Look to see him made the mark for the weapon 
of the assassin, if the murderer is not soon detected, and 
punished. Justice ought to be nimble-footed lest other men, 
whose efforts are invaluable to us, should be slain. 

Sad, sad services claim our attention at this time. The 
statesman, the soldier, the minister, the private citizen, gath- 
er around the remains of our President, at the Capital at 
this time, and the Churches all over our laud, are filled with 
mourning hearts. Our grief is greater than our joy. The 
two emotions of gladness and sorrow cannot possess the 
heart at the same time. The nation mourns to-day. It is a 
time to weep. It is a great grief, participated in by all, 



which distreases us to-day. We feel this more deeply than 
any we have had during these four years of war. And why 
is it 60 great? Why does the nation, this day, manifest 
more sorrow over the death of one than over the multitudes 
who have been slain on their country's altar ? We all mourn 
the loss of brave men who have fallen in battle; but there is 
a difference between the loss of many from the ranks, and 
the death of one President. One great and good man, wise- 
ly administering the affairs of the nation, is worth many 
whose training and position prevent them from exerting 
much influence. The price of victory is the blood of many, 
who move in the humbler walks of life. Individual hearts, 
here and there through the country are torn, but the heart 
of the nation rejoices over the victory, the result of their ef- 
forts. Parents, and wives, and children, here and there 
through our country with bleeding hearts are weeping, while 
the nation is engaged in demonstrations of joy. But when 
the ruler of a great people falls all hearts are saddened. The 
whole nation mourns. It seems, as though one were dead in 
every house. There are no exceptions to the general grief; 
unless they be found among those who love the name of reb- 
el, or act the part of traitor. 

This day, we see the legitimate fruits of rebellion. For a 
period of four years it has defied the authority of our gov- 
ernment. For four years, it has invented the terrible in- 
struments of death, which have been hurled at us in vast 
numbers. For years has it been starving our brave men, 
who, by the events of battle, have fallen under its control. 
It is the rebellion, which has brought untold woe upon a 
prosperous people. But recently, it has descended to a deep- 
er point in its baseness. We had thought, from late events, 
that it had put forth its foulest and mightiest effort. But 
we were mistaken. Hecatombs of men were not enough to 
meet its demands. Its iron heart was not melted by the 
tears and sighs of thousands of widows and orphans. It re- 
lented not at the sight of want, and disease, and desolation. 



c 

l;ike a great fieud, from the pit of darlincss, it ventures 
away, and goes forth from its dungeons, its blackened fields,^ 
the cries of anguish; and comes to the heart of the nation 
when it is bounding with joyous emotions, and strikes a fa- 
tal blow. Its efforts have culminated in a blow aimed di- 
rectly at the arm of power. It had aimed to overthrow the 
national authority by the aid of armies. But in this it fail- 
ed. Now it leaves this indirect method of attack, and rush- 
es forth to strike down the representative of the authority. 
Some, no doubt, will attempt to show that the South had 
nothing to do with this act; but, we think, no one can deny 
that the murderer was prompted by the same spirit, which 
raised and held together the armies of the rebellion. Men 
will try to palliate the ofience by striving to make it appear 
that the assassin was insane; but the plans were too skillful- 
ly arranged, and too long in contemplation, to make that 
plea of any avail. It was a sly, miserable emissary of this 
rebellion who did the guilty deed. It was a plotting, cun- 
ning wretch, deeply in sympathy with the rebellion, who 
sought the President's life. 

The consequences of his act will reach every part of our 
nation. The loyal peo]>le will feel its loss, in that we will 
not have his mind to direct, and his great, kind heart to 
prompt to benevolent action. Great difficulties are to bead- 
justed, and ho seemed peculiarly qualified by God for their 
settlement. He took large, humane, comprehensive views 
of the difficulties. The good of the whole nation was in hia 
mind. The people of the South will also feel his loss. At 
no time, has he shown any bitterness to them. Under his 
rule, the men who fell into our hands as prisoners were treat- 
ed with great kindness. His magnanimity has been shown 
in his whole course, but especially, in the surrender of the 
great army of the rebellion. Where is the man even in the 
South, who could, with any show of reason, hate hira? In 
all his public acts he seems to have been lifted above the fit- 
ful gusts of passion, which seemed to control othei^ men. In 



this we conceive is found inucli of the grauJeur of his char- 
acter. He disdained to meet the foe with measures prompt- 
ed merely by passion. He seemed always to keep in mind 
what was worthy of the great American Nation, instead of 
what sectional prejudice and hate demanded. Disturbed as 
we are by great gusts of passion, it might be supposed that 
he was of necessity influenced by the same; but he seemed to' 
live above it. 

We know there are some, who think he has dealt most too' 
leniently with those who have risen up in rebellion. He felt, 
no doubt, that this great people could afford to treat the van- 
quished foe with mercy ani kindness. He knew that every 
eye was fixed upon his conduct; and that the public claimed, 
and exercised the right of judging his actions. He acted, 
therefore, in such a way as to gain the approval of those who 
are humane and lenient, and at the same time, firm, and 
just, and wise. His example had a great effect upon the 
people of the loyal States, as is exhibited in the kindness 
shown to the captured cities of the South, It did much al- 
so in the South in removing bitterness from the minds of the 
people. Indeed we see in Mr. Lincoln's course a great ex- 
hibition of benevolence. The armies of the nation did their 
part well. The kindness of our President did much also. 
We are not able to estimate what good has been done by his 
u-ise, prudent, kind course. Some at the North may hay^ 
felt like condemning his course, and now in his death_, fancy 
ihey see the bad effects of his kindness; but let them go to 
the vanquished and they will find they were beginning to 
love him, and to respect the authority he represented. We 
think, if he could speak to us to-day, he would urge us to 
use moderation. We are confident that his advice to U3 
■would he, " Deal with those who are fighting against you, 
as I have dealt with them." Let us therefore emulate the 
conduct of the departed. While we must ever feel, that such 
heinous crimes as treason and murder should be severely 
punished, let ns exercise as much moderation and kindness 



8 

fts justice anl wisJom will allow. It would ill become \isy 
to act toward the people of tlie Sjuth merely as passion dic-^ 
tates. Dreadful consequences would be the result. It would- 
ill become the minister of the Gospel, on this day of sad- 
ness, to inflame the public mind with revenge, and infcite td 
deeds of violence. We know that such a course, on' thepart 
of the minister, would bo more acceptable to some than his 
counsels of moderation. The ministry of our country, on- 
this day when all hearts are' overwhelmed with grief, wields 
a mighty power. We feel, as deeply as any, the enormity 
of the guilt of those who are linked with this foul sin; but 
we pray God to keep us from following the guidance of pas- 
sion as we lead the service of this day. We dwell more es- 
pecially upon this, because we know, that in the present state 
of the public mind, very little would lead men to deeds of 
violence. A few earnest, eloquent words for the purpose of 
stirring up the feelings of the people may bring about that 
result. In the name of the departed President, we beg you 
to refrain from every act, which is prompted by bitter exas- 
perated feeling. While we revere his memory, let us look 
to God to bless his successor with his favor. Already has 
he entered upon his office. Let him receive your most cordi- 
al support. He is our Chief Magistrate. To him we now 
look, under the guidance of God, to bring us out of these 
troubles, through which we are passing. We should pray 
God to fill him with the right spirit. He has great respon- 
•ibilities resting upon him. He needs your prayers. He 
needs the support of the nation. It is a great satisfaction to 
all, to know that the wheels of government are rolling on as 
though our Chief had not fallen. In other lands there would 
have been, probably anarchy and confusion. But as far as 
the government is concerned, it is moving on as heretofore^ 
What a great lesson does this teach other powers. 

Andrew Johnson is now President of these United States. 
To the government which he represents you owe your allegi' 
anoe. To him as the representative of this great govern- 



9 

merit you owe respect and honor. ''He is the minister of 
God to thee for good." " Whosoever resisteth the power, 
resisteth the ordinance of God." Let us therefore speak of 
him in a respectful manner, and do all we can to prompt 
others to do the same. Those in our midst, who liave ad- 
hered to this wicked rebellion, ought, at once, to abandon it. 
They see what terrible fruit it is producing. If men persist 
in adhering to it, even after what they have seen , we feel sure 
its Worst fruit has not yet been produced. . 

We see what mischief can be done in what we suppose are 
tlie closing hours of the rebellion. If it had not committed 
a single deed of violence beyond this, the assassination is 
enough to brand the cause with eternal infamy. If it had 
not fired a gun, or drawn a sword, this one act is enough to 
make it detestable. We cannot blot the last four years from 
our memory. But if we could, and it were possible to look 
upon this great murder as the only act which the people at- 
tached to the rebellion liad committed, we feel that it is 
enough to make all I'ight-tb inking men witlidraw their sup- 
port. Can any cause be good, wliicii is supported by tlio act 
of a miserable assassin? Can the spirit of secession "he wor- 
thy of entertainment, when it sets men to plotting in secret 
for weeks and months, as to how they may murder a noble, 
benevolent ruler? Can that cause be good, wln'ch by this 
act, attempted to produce anarchy and confusion."^ God, in 
his goodness, has not permitted all to come to pass, wliich 
these bad men designed. They intended to take the life of 
liim who has just entered upon the office of President, as 
well as the lives of those who torni liis Cabinet. The lives 
of these men, we believe, are in con.^tant jeopardy. They 
occupy a perilous position. The rebellion is to-day inspired 
with the spirit of murder. Murder in its foulest ibrms is 
plotted by it. If there be one in the sound of m}' voice, wlio 
countenances this terrible iniquity, let me say that he ojinnot 
exonerate himself from the guilt of the sins it may comuiii:. 
Those who sym])athize with tiaitors will oftl-r excuses for 



10 

their feelings and prejudices; but tliey are, witliout doubt, 
encouraging a cause which is prompted and sustained by 
murder. In the eye of the law, the man is regarded as an 
accomplice who gives the least aid or countenance to crime. 
We speak calmly and with deliberation, when we say that 
every man who sympathizes with rebellion, ought, at once, 
to give it up. We have seen enough of its spirit. We need 
not want to see more. But if any still cling to it, we charge 
them with sustaining the foulest iniquity. We warn such, 
this day of sorrow, of the consequence of adhering to this 
great tvickedness. We tremble now for the man who boldly 
announces his attachment to this cause. There is danger to 
be feared, to-day, lest the angry passions of men lead tliem 
to deeds of violence. If the people, who adhere to this wick- 
ed cause, want other manifestations of its spirit, we believe 
they will have them. The thunder-bolt of the accumulated 
wrath of an outraged people will fall upon their heads. We 
counsel those who give aid or the least countenance to the 
8outh to give it up immediately. We urge loyal men, who 
have been true in the dark days through which we have pass- 
ed, to act with moderation. You have been treated with the 
greatest indignity. (Ireat has been the peril tlirough whicli 
you have passed. But notwithstanding all tliis. receive with 
fraternal kindness tlie man who heartily repents of his sin. 
Do not, do not we l)eseech you act according to the prompt- 
ings of passion. Imitate the benevolence of Him whose name 
we will ever hold in grateful remembrance. Deal kindly 
where you can. Be severe where justice and right say you 
must. 

Death has laid his hand upon the strong, and noble man. 
His tall form has fallen. The eye, Avhich looked out kindly 
upon all mankind, is closed. Death has mounted the high 
places of our nation. Where thronged the bright and joy- 
ous are now found the mourners. The wail of stricken ones 
is now heard where the song and shout resounded. 

Abraham Lincoln is dead. It is "a time to weep. In the 



11 

midst of our greatest gloom, let us never lose sight of the 
fact, that God is on the throne. In the darkest hour, may 
we have unshaken confidence in His willingness and power 
to maintain the right, and overthrow the evil. To Him we 
look in this time of weeping, and pray that out of this dis- 
pensation. of His Providence, may soon come that which will 
he of great benefit to us. We humbly pray God to bless our 
time ot weeping to our good. We do not pretend to under- 
stand this dispensation of Providence, but we do know 
that all things will work together for good to the cause of 
truth and righteousness. 



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LB S '12 



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